Underrated Genius
Wojciech Karolak | Warsaw. Poland. | 12/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many years ago I had this on vinyl LP. Someone borrowed it from me and I never got it back. So it's gone. I am a jazz musician, 62, kind of known in my country. To me "Introducing" always was, and still is a quintessence of a bebop big band idea. It is hot, tasty and full of that beautiful flavour of music from early 60thies. Sometimes it has a lot in common with Thad Dameron's moods. In some aspects it may also be compared with Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Band, but the difference is that "Intoducing" is an inimitable "real Blue Note", with its choice of funkiest musicians and a genius touch of a jazziest sound engineer ever; Rudy Van Gelder. Overlooked by many - or maybe issued without promotion it deserved, it is to me one of the most important records in jazz history. No other big band thing sounded like this. It's been one of the kind. Those who like jazz sound like jazz should take a moment and listen how Mickey Rocker plays his [rear-end] off obviously excited by being part of a band as they set fire doing "New Girl". Great, great record!
I wish I knew how to buy it (and many other CDs from CDNOW). In Warsaw, Poland, where I live bank clerks don't even know what International Money Order means. Would you believe it? On the other hand if I type my Visa number and click "submit" I only get error messages. For those who don't need to worry how to make a payment I can only say nine bucks for "Introducing" is a joke. I would pay much more to be only able to get it."
2 LP'S Worth on 1 CD
John M. | 11/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"To make a long story short, 6 tracks from Duke's 2nd and last Big Band session- NOW HEAR THIS-are also included. The Polish gentleman is right New Girl is a great swinging original. Other great Duke Pearson originals- not included here- are My Girl Shirl from Donald Byrds- BYRD IN FLIGHT and Each Time I Think Of You from Donalds THE CAT WALK. Jackie McLean has the powerful opening solo on the 1'st and it's Pepper Adams who delivers a well prepared blockbuster leading off on the 2'nd"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1